Pongal Festival 2026 – Four Days of Tamil Nadu Harvest Celebrations

Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm in Tamil Nadu. It is mainly celebrated by farmers and is dedicated to Mother Nature, thanking her for blessing the land with a rich harvest. The festival is observed every year from January 13 to January 16.

Each of the four days of Pongal has its own importance and traditions.

Day 1 – Bhogi

Bhogi marks the beginning of the Pongal festival and usually falls on January 13/14.

Before Bhogi, houses are thoroughly cleaned to welcome the festival. Early in the morning, people take a bath and decorate the front of their homes with beautiful kolam designs. On this day, people worship the Sun God and agricultural tools used for farming.

Old and unwanted items are thrown into a Bhogi bonfire, symbolizing the removal of the old and the beginning of something new.

Day 2 – Surya Pongal

Surya Pongal is the most important day of the festival and is dedicated to the Sun God.

People wake up early, take a ritual bath, and worship the Sun. Women draw colorful kolams at the entrances of their homes. Newly harvested rice is cooked in a new clay pot with milk and jaggery, usually in an open space.

When the mixture boils over, people shout “Pongalo Pongal!” as a sign of prosperity. The prepared Pongal is first offered to the Sun God and then shared with family and friends.

Day 3 – Mattu Pongal

Mattu Pongal is dedicated to farm animals, especially cows and oxen, who play an important role in agriculture.

On this day, cattle are bathed, decorated, and their horns are painted. Garlands are placed around their necks, and a tilak is applied on their foreheads. Pongal is offered to the animals, and in many villages, cattle are taken in a procession around the village.

Day 4 – Kaanum Pongal

The fourth and final day is called Kaanum Pongal (also known as Karinaal in some regions).

People worship the Sun God and offer food along with Sarkarai Pongal. Sugarcane is offered to the deity and shared among people to symbolize sweetness and happiness in life.

This day is meant for visiting relatives, friends, and loved ones. Folk songs, traditional dances, and cultural activities are performed, making it a joyful conclusion to the Pongal celebrations.

Pongal 2026 – Main Celebration (Surya Pongal): January 15